First post! Let's see if I can keep up!

So, since everyone is making a blog, I feel like I should too! And, now you can all read about my crazy adventures here in Galway, and I don't have to tell them in separate emails!
I have officially been in Galway for a week now. Can you believe it? And I have been out of the country for almost 2! I know! After all the nerves and tears, I'm sure some of you are surprised that I even made it here! But, I did, and so far it's been very very fun! Galway is beautiful! It is freezing here, which I thought I left behind in Vermont, but it is still so pretty. I think the cold is more tolerable here because I am in Ireland, so it makes it ok! Since we are right by the water, there was some crazy frost and ice on the trees that looked absolutely beautiful! All white and icy! It was like being in Candy Land...what is that place? The ice forest or something? You know what I mean.
Our house is awesome! Much better than the hostel that Abby and I got lost finding on our first day, walking probably a mile away from it with 400 pounds of luggage, only to realize we passed it and it was right in front of our face. Sharing a room smaller than a dorm with 5 girls I had just met was rather interesting, but it worked out. But, living in a house is so much nicer. Abby and I have our own room, with our own bathroom (thank god). We live with 3 other Irish girls...Lisa, AnnMarie, and Kate. They are all so sweet and so much fun! We have different schedules and stuff, so we don't see them all that much, but I'm sure that once we get to know them, we will be hanging out a lot more! Actually, right now our smoke alarm is going off. Probably burned some toast with nutella or something (which Abby and I are planning on living off of).
I started classes on Monday. Lots and lots of English, with lots of books to read. But, education is so different over here. They actually never go to classes, which is so funny. They are all lectures, and no teacher knows your name at all. And, all we have to do is write an essay at the end...the most perfect set up for me! But, all the classes seem so interesting, so maybe I will end up being that loser American who never misses a class. We'll see. I'll let you all know!
I have made some great friends over here too! Everyone is so nice. And, my favorite part about this whole place are the people in Galway. We will go into a pub for lunch, and people will just come up to us, unannounced, and ask where we are from (maybe we look like we are from far away). But, they are genuinely interested in where we come from and what we are studying. We have met so many nice people! The pubs are definitely the place to be...even if it's just for coffee in the afternoon (not everyone is drunk all the time in a pub hahahha!) People are so friendly and always willing to help out! They are definitely my favorite part about being here!
The shopping and downtown area is beautiful too. Just like a Church Street, except bigger and in Ireland! It's so nice. Just walking around and people watching is so fun! And, going into every pub I see...there are over 600, which is about 14 a day if I want to see all of them in the time I am here, so naturally you can imagine that I have been busy! haha!
Right now I am in my incredibly comfortable bed, staring at Abby working on her computer. We are going to make dinner with a few friends tonight then go to the pubs to hear some music! Hopefully I'll be good about updating this...or else I'll have to send out emails!

Love and miss you all so much!